Part 2 (2/2)

General Sherman's son, ”Father Tom,” as he is affectionately called by all the family and the friends of the dear old General, will attend

He was summoned from Europe recently to his father's deathbed, and he happens to be in time to perform services for his father's friend, poor Lawrence After the services to-o direct to Cohasset for the burial--Tuesday--where Barrett had only teeks ago placed his rave to a family lot which he had recently purchased at Cohasset He had also enlarged his house there, where he intended to pass his old age in privacy Doctor Slandular disease was incurable, and the surgical operation would prolong life only a year or so; the severe cold produced pneuht have been overcolandular disease still in the blood Mrs

Barrett knew from the first operation that he had at most a year or so to live, and yet by the doctor's advice kept it secret, and did everything to cheer and hu to be suddenly called to him for more than a year past, yet the blow cahter, and her husband, caht When I sarence on Thursday he was in a burning fever and asked ht affect h three acts of ”De Mauprat” the night before, and sent for his wife that night His death was very peaceful, with no sign of pain A couple of weeks ago he and I were to ht Barrett had invited about twenty distinguished uest attends

My roorams, and callers come every moment, some on business, many in sympathy

Three hours have elapsed since I finished the last sentence, and I expect a call from Bromley before I retire A world of business matters have been disturbed by this sudden break of contracts with actors andto next season, as well asthe balance of the present one, ed or cancelled I, of course, am free; but for the sake of the company I shall fulfil my time, to pay their salaries, this week here; and next week in Brooklyn, as they were engaged by Barrett for ement After which they will be out of employment for the balance of the season

PAPA

TO MISS EMMA F CARY SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY, 1864

MY DEAR FRIEND:

A little lull in the whirl of excitement in which my brain has nearly lost its balance affords me an opportunity to write to you It would be difficult to explain the many little annoyances I have been subjected to in the production of ”Richelieu,” but when I tell you that it far surpasses ”Hamlet,” and exceeds all my expectations, you may suppose that I have not been very idle all this while I wish you could see it

Professor Peirce[2] has been here, and he will tell you of it It really seems that the dreams ofrealised What Mary and I used to plan for ly to promise ourselves in ”our model theatre,” seems to be realised--in these two plays, at least As history says of the great cardinal, I am ”too fortunate afulfilled, I cannot help but believe that there is a sufficient iher influence than the world believes I am moved by I owe the success I have achieved assured that all I do in this advance carries, even beyond the range ofinfluence, while in it the effect is good, I begin to feel really happy in my once uneasy sphere of action I dare say I shall soon be contented with my lot I will tell you this much: I have been offered the means to a speedy and an ample fortune, from all parts of the country, but prefer the limit I have set, wherein I have the power to carry out h ”on half pay,” as it were

Ever your friend,

EDWIN BOOTH

TO MISS EMMA F CARY [Three weeks after the assassination by his brother, John Wilkes Booth, of President Lincoln]

Saturday, May 6, 1865

MY DEAR FRIEND:

I've just received your letter I have been in one sense unable to write, but you know, of course, what my condition is, and need no excuses

I have been, by the advice ofout only occasionally in the evening My health is good, but I suffer from the want of fresh air and exercise

Poor mother is in Philadelphia, about crushed by her sorrows, and e of her husband, as taken froo, with Junius

My position is such a delicate one that I aed to use the utmost caution Hosts of friends are staunch and true to me Here and in Boston I feel safe What I am in Philadelphia and elsewhere I know not All I do [know] of the above nareat heart firm and faster bound to me than ever

Sent in answer to dear Mary's [his wife's] prayers--I faithfully believe it She will do what Mary struggled, suffered, and died in doing My baby, too, is there Now that the greatest excitement is over, and a lull is in the stor the heat of it I was glad she was not here

When Junius and Mr Clarke are at liberty, hter] to me I wish I could see with others'

eyes; all my friends assure me that my name shall be free, and that in a little while I may be where I was and what I was; but, alas! it looks dark to me